View source for Krishnankutty Poduval

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'''Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval''' (1924-1992) was a self-taught maestro of [[Kathakali]] percussion who excelled in the art of [[chenda]] playing by redefining its aesthetics as an audio accompaniment for the classical dance-drama from [[Kerala]] in south [[India]].<ref>http://www.kalamandalam.org/daywithmasters.asp</ref>

Poduval, who was born in the Kathakali village of [[Vellinezhi]] in [[Palakkad]] district, was groomed in chenda playing by legendary [[Moothamana Kesavan Namboodiri]] and [[Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon]], in whose classrooms he underwent training in playing the percussion instrument. He had earlier received basic training in chenda under Chamrankulangara Appu Marar.<ref>Kathakali Vijnanakosam (encyclopedia), page 333</ref>

Poduval has been credited with lending audio support on the chenda to emotional scenes on the Kathakali stage. His art, in tandem with the late [[maddalam]] maestro [[Kalamandalam Appukutty Poduval]], won wide appreciation from audiences. Together, they used to prop up the performance of the renowned master, [[Padma Bhushan]] [[Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair]].

Krishnankutty Poduval, a winner of the [[Central Sangeet Natak Akademi]] award, groomed several disciples at [[Kerala Kalamandalam]] from where he retired as professor in the late 1980s. They include Ayamkudi Kuttappa Marrar, Kalamandalam Krishnadas, and the late Kalamandalam Kesavan,.His main disciples are considered to be Ayamkudi Kuttappa Marrar and Kalamandalam Kesavan.

Krishnankutty Poduval, a mercurial genius, had more than once quit Kalamandalam following differences with its authorities. During such breaks, he used to also work with [[Gandhi Seva Sadan]] Kathakali Akademi.

Poduval died on October 14, 1992, in an [[Ernakulam]] hospital following an acute liver problem.

In May 2008, his alma mater brought out a book "Melapperukkam" carrying the complete written works of Kalamandalam Krishnankutty Poduval.

Two of Poduval's sons are artistes in the field of Kathakali. Kalamandalam Mohanakrishnan is a musician, while Kalamandalam Vijayakrishnan is a chenda player.

== References ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Poduval, Kalamandalam Krishnankutty}}
[[Category:Kathakali exponents]]
[[Category:Musicians from Kerala]]
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:Chenda players]]
[[Category:People from Palakkad district]]
[[Category:20th-century drummers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male classical singers]]


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